VASasha

iTrader: (5)

I was in Georgetown last night for some drinks and I parked my car on the street. When I returned to my car there was a ticket on it. At first I thought it was a parking ticket so I was a bit surprised since I was parked completely legally. When I started reading it, it turns out it was for not having a front plate.

I have VA plates and I was always under the impression that you have to be from the specific state where you got ticketed for something like that, because different states have different laws. Can DC really enforce a VA law? Anything I could do about this besides making up a story about my dead grandma and her 3 legged dog?


P.S. This is just an amusing little addon. In the comments section it said "Not on dash" So I guess if it was on my dash I would have gotten away with it.

SlayerRX8

Wow, that sucks. I don't have my front plate on, but this kinda makes me reconsider. Sorry to hear about that man.

I don't really know what you can do, but I'm sure someone will.

vipertin

haha I have not had one in in 2 years I got hasseled about it once. I told the cop that you cannot put one on my car that the vent has to be clear because it is a rotary he was real cool and said he did not know anything about rotarys.

VASasha

iTrader: (5)

I guess that would work on the spot but since I would have to write a letter to the court or go in front of a judge I wouldn't want to get caught in a lie like that.

swiftrx8

DC does not have the authority to enforce VA law, fight it...do a little research, but yeah that have no jurisdiction of authority to give you that ticket.

VASasha

iTrader: (5)

I just found this...

http://www.dmv.org/washington-dc/license-plates.php

"Motor vehicle license plates are issued as part of the registration process. In order to operate or park a vehicle on any public street in the District of Columbia, a vehicle must show two current tags―one in front and one in the rear of the vehicle. The tags must be visible and not obstructed by any plastic, glass, or spray, and they must be securely attached horizontally to the vehicle to which they are registered."

I guess according to this they have every right to ticket people that don't have it in the front but would they have ticketed me if I had a FL car?

therx8man

True for vehicles registered in D.C. But, what if you are visiting D.C. from a state like Pennsylvania that does not require two plates (nor would they give you a second if you requested one)? Would you get a ticket in D.C. if you only had one Pennsylvania plate on the rear of your vehicle. That doesn't seem right to me.

My 8 is registered in VA and I too do not have a front plate. Never have. Most cops have better things to do than hassle you about a front plate. However, I once got pulled over in MD because I didn't have a front plate and got like a $30 ticket. I thought about fighting based on the fact that they were attempting to enforce VA law but, frankly, it wasn't worth my time and the cost of gas to get to court in MD to fight. Most people probably pay them rather than fighting for that reason alone.

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

There is no way a state (or DC) can except someone to keep a license plate with them at all times and install it every time they go to a neighboring state, where the law requires it for that state's residents. This sounds ludicrous, especially considering DC and VA are so close and people cross-commute all the time. I would definitely fight this.

I live in MD and have never had a front license plate, simply because I hate the look of it. I know I'm risking getting pulled over, but I haven't been harassed about it in almost 2 1/2 years while driving. The only time something came of it was when I parked overnight in Baltimore City, and got ticketed early in the morning by a cop doing inspections for stolen cars.

zoomzoomnash

Fight the ticket. I work in G-town. (Too bad I didn't see you.) The ticket people in G-town are very aggressive (particularly with people who live outside the city an the figure will just pay without questions) and may not have known themselves that the plate is optional for a VA resident.

I actually had one of my plates stolen in G-town and called the cops. The officer who responded tried to give me a ticket for no plates! Really ridiculous as the remaining plate was half off and bent and I found the dealership cover piece and screws for the missing plate on the ground, not to mention I called him to begin with. Then, when he clearly didn't have a case he was a real jerk about giving me my police report so I could get new a plate from Maryland. I guess I went from a positive count on his book to extra paperwork.

Oh, when fighting the ticket, check if you can do it by mail. It depends on the ticket and should say if you can on the back. If you can, it is much easier and the by mail adjutants are very fair. Actually going to traffic court is a real pain in DC.

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VASasha

iTrader: (5)

There seems to be a misconception that a front plate in VA is optional. It is not. The front plate in VA is required. My main question was whether the G-Town cop could've ticketed me for it.

I do plan on fighting it by mail. No reason to go and appear in front of a judge and explain to him that while I was breaking the law, his cop had no juristiction over me. I don't think they'll like that too much.

Mazurfer

I was wondering about this thread because I thought VA had a front plate law.
Oh........and he does have jurisdiction to issue you a ticket, but that doesn't mean it will hold up.
I honestly don't know the answer here....other than he was being and *** wipe!

SBZRO

I was questioned one time by a state trooper while filling up. I always keep the plate in my trunk and have the excuse of it falling off, just in case. He said i didn't have to worry about it cause I have a perfect driving record.

jmsinclair

Those Anti-IMF people probably reported you. At least you did not get a brick to the windshield like that women!

VASasha

iTrader: (5)

I was there the night before so I wasn't worried about that.